MOSCOW: British rock musician Mark Knopfler has cancelled his Russian tour dates to protest against raids by Russian authorities on human rights groups.
"Given the crackdown by Russian authorities on groups including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, I have regretfully decided to cancel my upcoming concerts in Moscow and St. Petersburg in June," he said in a statement published on his website late Thursday.
Russian authorities in recent weeks have carried out unprecedented searches of over 100 NGOs involved in rights activism, after the passing of a controversial law forcing foreign-funded NGOS involved in politics to label themselves "foreign agents."
The US State Department compared the searches to a "witch hunt," while Russia insisted that the unannounced visits by prosecutors, tax inspectors and justice ministry officials were just routine checks.
Knopfler is a celebrated rock guitarist and singer who has gone on to a solo career after his stint with the band Dire Straits, known for hits such as "Romeo and Juliet" and "Sultans of Swing." He was due to perform in Moscow on June 7 and in Saint Petersburg on June 8.
He said he regretted that he was obliged to cancel the tour due to the political situation.
"I have always loved playing in Russia and have great affection for the country and the people. I hope the current climate will change soon."
The head of the Russian branch of Amnesty International, Sergei Nikitin, said in a statement on Friday that "rights activists highly value the support of people from the arts."
The Moscow office of Amnesty International was searched on March 25, while Human Rights Watch's Moscow office was searched two days later.
But several senior lawmakers slammed Knopfler's cancellation.
The head of the lower house of parliament's international affairs committee, Alexei Pushkov, said on Twitter that "the refusal of the formerly good musician Mark Knopfler to perform in Russia because of 'pressure on NGOs' is hypocrisy."
He argued that Knopfler was inconsistent because he had performed in the United States despite "the hell in Iraq."
Ruling party lawmaker, Iosif Kobzon, 75, who is also a renowned crooner, harshly criticised Knopfler's decision.
"Let him go to hell... Who does he think he is?" Kobzon told Kommersant FM radio station. "If it was Elton John, that would be another matter."
But Knopfler's decision was backed by popular blogger and opposition supporter Anton Nosik, who is media director at SUP Media, the Russian owners of LiveJournal.
He wrote on his blog that "I don't just understand Knopfler's decision. I respect it."
Top protest leader Alexei Navalny posted a link to a story on Knopfler's decision on his Twitter.
It is extremely rare for Western musicians to cancel concerts that are already organised in Russia for political reasons, prominent music critic Artemy Troitsky said Friday.
"I really can't remember a case when it was concretely, specifically about some political processes going on in our country," he told Echo of Moscow radio station. "I don't think this happened even during the Cold War."
Other musicians have used concerts in Russia to support the political opposition, including US star Madonna, who last year supported the cause of punk group Pussy Riot by displaying the band's name painted on her back on stage as the women stood trial for a performance critical of President Vladimir Putin in a church.
She also handed out pink wristbands to support gay rights to her fans in Saint Petersburg, where a local law bans propaganda of homosexuality to minors.
The Russian organisers of Knopfler's concerts promised Friday that fans would be reimbursed for their tickets.
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